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Quemado Lake Closure
The Gila National Forest has issued a public health and safety area closure of Quemado Lake due to a harmful algal bloom. The area closure prohibits public access to Quemado Lake and National Forest System lands south of Quemado Lake Road (Forest Road 13). This includes Cove Day Use Area, Juniper Campground, El Caso Campgrounds 1 - 3, Largo Trail #14, Quemado Lake Fishing Trail #144, Lakeshore Access Trail #1441, Juniper-Lake Access Trail #1442, and Cove-Lake Access Trail #1443.
The Surface Water Quality Bureau of the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has detected very high levels of microcystins in their water samples from Quemado Lake, indicating a potential for acute poisoning and short- or long-term effects to humans or animals. To protect the public, the NMED has issued a danger advisory and recommended closing the area.
The water is unsafe for:
- drinking
- swimming
- wading
- boating
- paddling
- water skiing
- fishing
If you come into contact with affected lake water, rinse thoroughly with clean water. Dogs should not be allowed to play in the lake water.
NMED will continue to sample water quality and provide updated guidance as conditions develop.
Harmful algal blooms occur most often during the summer when sunlight warms stagnant water with high nutrient levels, creating a hospitable environment for them.
The area closure will remain in effect until NMED advises that the lake is safe for public use.
Alert Start Date: November 10, 2025
Alert End Date: April 1, 2026
Rec Sites Affected:
Order Number: 03-06-03-25-001
Associated Documents
Forest Order
PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a), the following are prohibited on
the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Quemado Ranger District, Gila National
Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as
Exhibit A (the “Described Area):
- Going into or being upon the Described Area which is closed for public health and
safety. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e). - Being upon any National Forest System trail within the Described Area. 36 C.F.R.
§ 261.55(a).
EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
- Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-2200-10 (Term Grazing Permit) for the
El Caso Allotment. - Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads,
Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them
from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer
that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2). - Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or
firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
DESCRIBED AREA
The Described Area lies within all, or portions of Township 2 South, Range 16 West,
Sections 15 & 16. The Described Area consists of all National Forest lands within the
boundary starting the end of New Mexico State Highway 103 and beginning of Forest
Road 13, including Quemado Lake Parking area and boat dock. Proceeding 2.0 miles to
Forest Road 4187M/Largo Trail #14 proceeding 1.08 miles to Quemado Lake Fishing
Trail #114 proceeding 1.5 miles over Quemado Lake Dam back to the entrance of the
Quemado Lake Parking Lot. Forest Road 13 will remain open for travel.
The area closure prohibits public access on National Forest System lands south of
Quemado Lake Road (Forest Road 13) and include Cove Day Use Area, Juniper
Campground, El Caso Campgrounds 1– 3, Largo Trail #14, Quemado Lake Fishing Trail
#144, Lakeshore Access Trail #1441, Juniper-Lake Access Trail #1442, Cove Access
Trail #1443 and Quemado Lake itself, as shown specifically in Exhibit A.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to protect public health and safety. The New Mexico
Environment Department (NMED) is issuing a danger warning for Quemado Lake after
samples confirmed extremely high toxin levels caused by a harmful algal bloom.
IMPLEMENTATION
- This Order shall be in effect from November 10, 2025 at 6:00 am through April 1,
2026 at 6:00 am, unless rescinded. - A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as
Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/gila/alerts. - Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are
defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II,
Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the
Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined
by their plain language definitions. - A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by
a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by
imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C.
§§ 3559, 3571, and 3581. - Contact the Quemado Ranger District in Quemado, New Mexico (575) 773-4678,
and Gila National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Silver City, New Mexico (575) 388-
8201, for more information about this Order. - This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in
the same Described Area.
Signed and issued on November 10, 2025.
_______________________
Bret Ruff
Deputy Forest Supervisor
Gila National Forest
Contact Name:
Quemado Ranger DistrictContact Number:
(575) 773-4678Maps
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